"Based on Ephesians 5:1
in which we are instructed to be imitators of God, Stanton and Butman
suggest that the Christian therapist should actively image God's
functions, character, and concerns in the therapeutic relationship. This
view of the therapeutic event is based on the belief that pastoral
counseling, wherever it might be done, occurs in the context of an
awareness of God in relation to persons so that a "trialogue"
-- a conversation between clients, therapist, and God -- takes place
instead of just a dialogue between the clients and the therapist."

"To conclude my reading of v. 4,
the general meaning of the two words examined here and their literary context in
this passage both strongly suggest that they deal with a type of humor that the author
forbids, sexually-oriented humor. He does so to prevent his readers in Ephesus from
thinking well of practices from which they have come, practices that reflect patterns
of morality that he sees as antithetical to the faith."

Sermons:

"Stripping Off the Old," from a series of sermons on the book of
Ephesians by Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church in Des
Moines, Washington.

Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.